Russia calls joint US-Ukraine naval exercise ‘a provocation’

Saturday, January 13, 2018 3:00:49 PM

The joint exercises of the Ukrainian Navy and the United States Navy in the Black Sea is a provocation against Russia, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Franz Klintsevich told RIA Novosti news agency.

"This is a kind of political demonstration of US hegemonic aspirations: ‘we are everywhere, and everything concerns us,’" the senator said. At the same time, according, the American destroyer poses no threat to Russia.

"It [the destroyer USS Carney], as they say, is constantly in the crosshairs and will be neutralized in case of any aggressive actions," Klintsevich added. The senator stressed that such actions do not improve Russian-American relations.

"Perhaps, only Kyiv can consider itself a party that gained points as a result of this visit. I mean them receiving another American "approval" of their course, but this is only a tactical win, which will inevitably result in a strategic defeat," concluded Klintsevich.

The day before, Ukrainian sea aviation conducted joint PASSEX type exercises together with the USS Carney (DDG 64) of the US Navy. Kyiv stated that the parties worked on the interaction in accordance with NATO standards.